But on April 30, 2007, I was given a magazine – Newsweek’s special edition on the Virginia Tech massacre. With each page came new analysis, a new look at guns, at mental illness, at society; telling the stories of each victim’s life. Article after article explored the tragedy, and my concept of a writer’s role as societal interpreter and documentarian took shape. No longer was writing the act of putting letters on paper. In a time of great pain, simple words facilitated a nation’s ability to comprehend, to grieve, to address the unthinkable. Words – and through them, the reporters – allowed our country to communicate, share and understand a situation, and I knew my words could one day do the same.

That morning, I became a journalist.

The shootings haven’t ended, but I’m still wide-eyed and working for words that help others understand the world around us. Right now, I cover health reform policy, tackling the evolution of the Affordable Care Act and our country along with it.

Poke around to read more about me and, if you’re so inclined, drop me a friendly note or a news tip. I’d love to get to know more faces of the policy process. Thanks for stopping by!